Whole Genome Analysis of the Red-Crowned Crane Provides Insight into Avian Longevity

The red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is an endangered, large-bodied crane native to East Asia. It is a traditional symbol of longevity and its long lifespan has been confirmed both in captivity and in the wild. Lifespan in birds is known to be positively correlated with body size and negatively correlated with metabolic rate, though the genetic mechanisms for the red-crowned crane's long lifespan have not previously been investigated. Using whole genome sequencing and comparative evolutionary analyses against the grey-crowned crane and other avian genomes, including the long-lived common ostrich, we identified red-crowned crane candidate genes with known associations with longevity. Among these are positively selected genes in metabolism and immunity pathways (NDUFA5, NDUFA8, NUDT12, SOD3, CTH, RPA1, PHAX, HNMT, HS2ST1, PPCDC, PSTK CD8B, GP9, IL-9R, and PTPRC). Our analyses provide genetic evidence for low metabolic rate and longevity, accompanied by possible convergent adaptation signatures among distantly related large and long-lived birds. Finally, we identified low genetic diversity in the red-crowned crane, consistent with its listing as an endangered species, and this genome should provide a useful genetic resource for future conservation studies of this rare and iconic species

Hidden in Plain Sight: Achieving More Just Results in Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment Cases by Re-Examining Supreme Court Precedent

Control of a hydraulic crane is considered. Due to the oscillatory character of the system smooth the operation of the crane is a demanding task. In order to improve the handling properties feedback control of the crane is studied. Based on linearized models feedback regulators of both LQG and PID type are designed. The feedback is based on position, pressure and acceleration measurements. Since the properties of the system change with load and operating point adaptive control is also introduced. The use of accelerometer signals for impact detection is also discussed. The proposed solutions are tested in both simulations and experiments on a real crane

Crane wheels production quality control

Quality control of crane wheels is an important part for support of crane mechanisms permanent operation. Normal functioning of logistics systems requires preventing of crane downtimes and delays. The research results of the impact of the crane wheels (710 mm diameter, 65Г steel) surface hardness on coercivity indicators are presented in this paper. Obtained research results of dependence between the coercivity indicators and the crane wheels rolling surface hardness for their use in practice are described. The influence of the crane wheels surface hardness on the coercivity indicators is researched. Research has shown the dependence of the coercive force from the regulatory crane wheels rolling surface hardness, which is received after a quenching. This research allows you to use obtained results for a quality control of the crane wheels quenching in the production process, a rapid control of the crane wheels at the expert examination

Motion of cranes of bridge type simulation in the MS Excel environment

The idle times of the crane caused by need of replacement of wheels, can have critical value for functioning of a logistic chain. In article the task about the movement of the crane with a skew with the accounting of several mutually influencing processes having various nature is considered. The solution of this task has important applied value for increase in a resource of wheels. For the crane designs, more varied, a known problem is representation of results in a suitable form for engineering calculations, as a compromise between simplicity and quality of the results. Possible solution is modelling in the environment of MS Excel. This approach allows the best way to provide the necessary engineering calculations for simplicity, clarity and reliability of the submission and processing of a large number of heterogeneous data. As an example, modelling of an elastic skeleton of the crane in dynamics that represents complexity in view of lack of specialized mathematical apparatus is considered

Spin foam model from canonical quantization

We suggest a modification of the Barrett-Crane spin foam model of 4-dimensional Lorentzian general relativity motivated by the canonical quantization. The starting point is Lorentz covariant loop quantum gravity. Its kinematical Hilbert space is found as a space of the so-called projected spin networks. These spin networks are identified with the boundary states of a spin foam model and provide a generalization of the unique Barrette-Crane intertwiner. We propose a way to modify the Barrett-Crane quantization procedure to arrive at this generalization: the B field (bi-vectors) should be promoted not to generators of the gauge algebra, but to their certain projection. The modification is also justified by the canonical analysis of Plebanski formulation. Finally, we compare our construction with other proposals to modify the Barret-Crane model.Comment: 26 pages; presentation improved, important changes concerning the closure constraint and the vertex amplitude; minor correctio

Space spider crane

A space spider crane for the movement, placement, and or assembly of various components on or in the vicinity of a space structure is described. As permanent space structures are utilized by the space program, a means will be required to transport cargo and perform various repair tasks. A space spider crane comprising a small central body with attached manipulators and legs fulfills this requirement. The manipulators may be equipped with constant pressure gripping end effectors or tools to accomplish various repair tasks. The legs are also equipped with constant pressure gripping end effectors to grip the space structure. Control of the space spider crane may be achieved either by computer software or a remotely situated human operator, who maintains visual contact via television cameras mounted on the space spider crane. One possible walking program consists of a parallel motion walking program whereby the small central body alternatively leans forward and backward relative to end effectors